Curtain-fixture.



D. E. BONNER.

CURTAIN FIXTURE. APPL'IGATION FILED rEB.1,191i.

Patented Jan. 28, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

/NVE/VTOR DOUGLAS E. BUNNEI? iwan,

n W/r/VESSES.-

COLUMmA IIL/maman co., WASHINGTON. D. c.

DOUGLAS E. BQNNER, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

CURTAIN-FIXTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1913.

Application led February 1, 1911. Serial No. 605,847'.

To al whom t may concern Be it known that l, DOUGLAS E. Bowman, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful -fmprovements in Curtain- Fixtures, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates to curtain fixtures and more particularly to fixtures which are adapted to be used at the lower edges of shades or curtains to hold them in any desired position against the constantly exerted tendency of the spring actuated rollers, on which they are mounted, to roll them up.

One of the objects of my invention is the production of a novel braking means which, operating as a part of the curtain fixture and in conjunction with the window casing to which the curtain is applied, offers frictional resistance to the upward movement of the curtain, preventing such movement unless the force exerted by the spring roller is augmented by force externally applied, while it does not resist movement in the opposite direction.

Another abject of my invention is the production of a curtain fixture in the structure of which there are independent pressure exerting means, the arrangement o-f parts being such, as will hereinafter be pointed out in detail, that the curtain is in an efficientmanner sel f-righting.

A further objectof my invention is to provide a curtain fixture with heads, each carrying braking means and being so disposed as to transmit a preponderance of the pressure exerted by the pressure exerting means of the fixture through the braking means to the window casing so as to increase the efficiency of the braking means.

A. still further object of my invention is found in the novel arrangement of stops which, in that type of curtain fixture which is provided with finger grips or pinch handles, operate in conjunction with their associated parts so as to allow of the adj ustment of said grips or handles relatively to each other and other parts of the fixture.

These objects will be more specifically pointed out and explained and others will appear in the following description of the construction and operation of the curtain fixture shown in the accompanying drawings, in which 'i Figure 1 shows, in longitudinal vertical section, a curtain fixture, embodying the improveniente of my invention, said fixture being represented in connection with a cooperating window-casing and in horizontal or normal position, and parts thereof being broken away. Fig. 2 is a similar section thereof with one end of the fixture displaced below the level of the other end. Fig. 3 is a similar section thereof with one end further displaced than in Fig. 2. Fig. 1lis an ele vational detail of the head and the end of the curtain stick. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of one end of the fixture showing the stop in depressed position for adjustment of the pinch-handle. Fig. 6 is an elevational detail of the braking meansV shown at the left of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but on a larger scale, certain parts being shown in section. 7 is a side elevation of a modified form of head, certain parts being shown in section. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the shank of the head and a modified form of stop, part of the shank being broken away. Fig. 9 is an elevation of one end of a curtain fixture, showing a modified form of pressure-exerting means, parts being shown in section, and Fig. 10 is a view similar to that of Fig. 9, but showing the parts in tilted position.

ln curtains o-f the kind with which my fixture is adapted to be used, the arrangement of the spring rollers and curtain fabric with a pocket atthe lower edge thereof to receive the fixture are thoroughly understood by those familiar with the art,

and these parts are therefore omitted from the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2' and 8 the curtain fixture comprises a curtain stick or tube 13, provided with an opening for the pinch handles 28, 28', said stick carrying at each end a slidably disposed'head adapted to engage with the window casing and run ning in grooves 1, 1 therein, the side walls of said grooves preventing lateral movement of the heads and the bottom walls thereof adapted to cooperate with the antifriction rollers and the braking means carried by the heads. The tube 13 is exteriorly screw threaded at its ends for coaction with the interiorly screw-threaded collars 7, 7 carried thereby. The heads comprise brake carrying members pivotally and slidably connected to the curtain stick or tube by means of stems or shanks 9, 9 provided with stops which project through openings in the tube 13 near the ends thereof and which are adapted to engage with the adjustable collars 7, 7 to limit outward movement of the heads. The shanks have cylindrical portions near the extremities of the tube, of suitable diameter to have a working fit therein. Toward the center of the fixture the shanks are provided with extensions of smaller diameter, the ends of Vwhich are screw-threaded for securing the pinch handles 28, 28 thereto. The handles are provided with internally screw threaded eyes for engagement with said shanks and with gripping {portions extending externally of the stick 13, in the usual manner, through an opening therein. Around the extensions of the shanks are coiled springs 11, 1l which, seating against the shoulders formed by the reduction in diameter of the shanks in constructing the extensions thereon and at their other ends against internally extending portions rigid with the stick, exert pressure on the shanks to move the heads outwardly or in a direction away from each other. As shown, the fixed seats of the springs are formed by bending in portions 12, 12 of the curtain tube, but it is to be understood that any other suitable means may be employed for accomplishing this purpose, as for example, by Washers or by rivets. These pressure springs are for the purpose of forcing the heads outwardly from the longitudinal center of the stick and are designed so that, in the normal or horizontal position of said stick, the thrust is greatest and becomes weaker as the stick is displaced from its horizontal position.

In the form of my invention shown particularly by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the spring 11 is of greater strength than the spring 11. In the horizontal position of Fig. 1 the outward thrust is equal to that of spring 11.

vIn the positions of Figs. 2 and 3, the outward thrust is that of spring 11. The lessening of outward pressure will be more fully set forth in the description of the operation of my device. The cylindrical portions of the shanks, which are of larger diameter, are provided with recesses in which are situated the aforementioned stops which, as shown in Figs. 1, Q., 3, 4 and 5 comprise pawls or dogs 8, 8 pivoted at one end, the other ends thereof being normally forced through the openings at the ends of the curtain stick by leaf springs 29 lying on the bottom walls of the recesses and exerting an upward pressure on the stops.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modified pawl 8 pivoted in the shank like the pawls 8* and 8 but having a weighted extension on the opposite side of pivot from the operating end of the pawl. It is obvious that this construction will utilize the action of gravfree of a window casing.

ity and does away with the necessity of a spring to force the operating end of the pawl upward.V

Pivoted to the ends of the shanks are heads or shoes 3, 3 which carry the antifriction and the braking means. These shoes are preferably approximately U- shaped in cross-section the connecting or back portions thereof being provided with openings through which the ends or the shanks may extend. IVithin these openings the shanks are flattened to have a loose fit between the side walls of said shoes and are pivoted to said shoes by the pins 6, 6. The ends of the iattened portions of the shanks outwardly of the pivotal pins are formed with a flat surface dispo-sed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shank which, above said axis, is a little less than a right angle and which below said axis, is correspondingly a little more than right angle.

Between the sides of the shoes at suitable distances from the pivotal centers thereof are retaining blocks 4, il and 14, 111.. of suitable construction to hold between them and the inner sides of the shoes, leaf springs 5, 5, the central portions of which bear against the fiat end surfaces of the shanks, causing the shoes to assume an angle to the axis of the shanks. This feature of my invention will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 4 in which the shoe is shown In the normal position of the fixture as shown in Fig. 1, Y

the slices are parallel to each other being held thus by the outwardly forcing springs and the reaction of the window casing. In this position, however, it is obvious that the construct-ion just described causes a greater pressure between the window casing and the lower portion of the pivoted shoe, that which carries t-he braking means, than between the window casing and the upper portion of said shoe, that which carries the antifriction means.

The antifriction means comprises rollers 2, 2 mounted between the sides of the shoes near the upper ends thereof upon journals arranged in the usual manner to allow the peripheries of said rollers to extend beyond the shoes so as to engage in the grooves 1, 1 of the window casing. Arranged at the lower ends of said shoes are the braking means of my invention. This means in each case comprises a. disk 18 pivoted eccent-rically on a pin 16 at a point above the center of the disk. The disk is provided, as will clearly appear from inspection of Fig. 6, with an aperture through which extends a stop pin 2O secured rto the sides of the shoe. Surrounding the disk which serves as a journal therefor is a ring 19 the periphery of which has contact with the bottom wall of the groove 1 in the window casing and of the member 3. It is obvious thatinstead of contacting with the back wall of the shoe the ring may be caused to contact with a block or pin or other fixed device inserted between the back wall and the ring. In the operation of this braking means an upward pull on the member 3, Fig. 6, tends to rotate the ring, because of its contact with the window casing against which it is forced by the springs in the curtain stick, in a counter-clockwise direction. The disk 18 is thus caused to rock in the same direction on its pivot 16, thus throwing its center, which is the same as the center of the ring, toward t-he wall 17. Obviously this causes a high pressure between t-he inner surface of said wall and the periphery of said ring, developing a friction which prevents rotation of the latter and consequent rolling action thereof on the window..casing. Thus it will be seen that to move the member 3, and the fixture to which it is attached, in an upward direction suiiicient force must be applied to overcome the friction between the casing and the non-rotatable ring 19. The upward pull of the curtain roller is not suihcient to overcome this friction and this device acts very efficiently to prevent the rolling up of the curtain because of the pull of the rollerspring. To roll up the curtain, it is necessary to add to this pull by an external force, as the muscular effort of the operator. It is obvious that a downward pull on the fixture tends to throw the center of the disk 1S away from the wall 17, thus allowing free rolling movement of the ring 19, upon the window casing in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 6. It will readily be understood that the parts just described opera-te as a brake to obstruct movement of the fixture in an upward direction and as an antifriction means to facilitate movement thereof in a downward direction.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modified form of head which is adapted for use in my curtain fixture. The shoe 3 is rigidly secured to the shank 9 and it carries antifricti'on devices at its ends and two braking devices at intermediate points. The antifriction rollers 2 are similar to those previously described but are not extended beyond the shoe so as normally to run upon the bottoms of the grooves in the window casing. Thebraking mechanism is constructed similarly to that previously described.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a modified form of pressure means. The stick 13 carries a shank 31 which has extensions of two diameters forming an outer and an inner shoulder between the sections of different diameters. Around the extensions are coiled springs 33, 34- each seating at one end against rivets 32 secured to the stick. The spring 33 is of greater strength than the spring 34C, is coiled about the latter and is adapted to seat against the outer shoulder of the shank while inner and weaker spring 34 is adapted to seat against the inner shoulder thereof.

The operation of my curtain fixture is as follows: In the normal position shown in Fig. 1, the collars 7, 7 are so adjusted that the stops 8 and 8 are not in Contact therewith, serving only to prevent rotation of the heads on account of their protuberance through the openings in the curtain stick. Ihc collar 7 is forced against the shoe 3, as will be observed, by the pressure of the spring 11, this spring being of such strength as to overcome the weaker pressure of the spring 11 to move said collar away from said shoe. The pressure on the heads is therefore a pressure equal to that exerted by the spring 11. A preponderance of this pressure is transmitted to the window' casings through the braking means while a less-er amount is transmitted through the anti-friction means, as previously pointed out, because of the peculiar construction of the pivoted shoes and leaf springs acting in conjunction with the angular end surfaces of the Shanks. lVhen the fixture is being displayed to the position shown in Fig. 2, the fixture vis elongated by outward movement of the shank 9 until the stop 8 comes into contact with the stop collar 7, thus throwing the spring 11 out of action. The pressure exerted in this position is obviously that of the weaker spring 11. lVhen being tilted to the position shown by Fig. 3, the fixture is further elongated by outward movement of the shank 9 until the stop 8 comes into contact with the stop collar 7 and throws the weaker spring 11 out of action. In' this position, too, the shoes become tilted so that at one side of the fixture the braking means is alone in contact with the window casing, while at the other end only the anti-friction roller contacts with the casing. During the tilting from horizontal position the pressure upon the casing is obviously lessened due to the expansion of the pressure means and is further decreased abruptly at certain predetermined points. Because of journal friction and slight elasticity in wooden window casings the antifriction wheels are more eflicient as antifriction means when the pressure which forces them against the casing is lighter than when this pressure is heavy. Since this is the case, the spring-roller has less resistance to its pull tending to roll the curtain up, when the fixture is tilted than when horizontal. Furthermore when the fixture is tilted the friction between the casing and the braking means of the lower head is less than that between the casing` and the braking means of the higher and opposite head with the result that the spring actuated roller, having less resistance on the lower pax Lun

side and acting through the medium of the curtain fabric with greater force on that side, pulls said side up and restores the fixture thus automatically to its normal hori- Zontal position.

lVhen the pressure exerting means shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are substituted for that shown in other figures, the effect is the same. In the normal position, shown by Fig. 9, the outward thrust is that of both springs 3S and 34, the one acting on the outer shoulder of the shank and the other on the inner shoulder thereof. W hen tilted to the position shown by Fig. 10, the .strongei spring 33 is out of action having expanded to its full length and beino' out of contact with its seat on the shan r. The weaker spring 34 is exerting its force on the shank and the outward pressure is only that oi" said weaker spring. A further slight ex-V pansion of this spring and consequent movement of the head will result. in bringing the stop 8 into contact with the collar 7, thus preventingfurther outward movement of the head.

To adjust the fixture to different lengths it is only necessary to manipulate one or both of the collars 7, 7. Then it is desired to move the pinch handles relatively7 to each other to compensate for length adjustments of the fixture, the heads are moved inwardly against the thrust of the springs, thus depressing the pawls 8, 8', by pushing them against the inner ends of the openings through which they normally project. rEhe parts then assume the positions shown by Fig. 5. It is clear that rotation, now permitted because the pawls are no longer projecting through the openings in the Stick, will rotate the shanks and shank extensions and move the pinch handles longitudinally thereof, the latter being screw-threaded to the shank extensions and being prevented from rotating therewith because they extend through an opening in the stick. After adjustment of the handles, a cessation of pressure on the heads will result in their' assuming their normal positions.

The fixture is capableof successful and eiiicient operation without the pinch handles, which may be omitted. The stop of Fig. 8, or the spring pressure means of Figs. 9 and 10, or the rigid head of Fig. 7 may be used instead of the corresponding devices of Figs. l, 2 and 3 without involving any change of operation and my invention embraces not only the fixture shown by Figs. l, 2 and 3 but fixtures in which any or all of the omissions and substitutions heretofore mentioned may be incorporated.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the proportions and constructions of this Vdevice wit-hout departing from the spirit of my invention, and that not only parts of my device lmay be used without using the other parts but also that parts of this invention may be used in other devices and in other arts.

I do not desire, therefore, to be limited to the disclosure which I have made in this case, but claim as my invention:

l. ln a one-way brake, the combination of an eccentrically mounted member, a ring surrounding said member and rotatable thereon and a braking element, said member being adapted to permit movement of said ring toward and away fromV said braking element, substantially as and for the purpose setl forth.

2. In a brake, the combination of an eccentrically mounted member, a ring mounted on said member and rotatable thereon, and a braking element adapted to Contact with the periphery of said ring, said ring adapted to contact with a window casing and said member being arranged to produce pressure between said ring andV said braking element, differing in intensity as said ring chang-es its direction of revolution, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. As an article of manufacture, a brake comprising an eccentrically mount-ed disk, a ring surrounding said disk and rotatable thereon and adapted to roll on a track, and

means adapted to co-act with the periphery of said ring and to cooperate with the track to prevent rotation of said ring in one direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.

el. In a curtain fixture, a curtain stick, a head, a spring acting to force said head outwardly, and braking means on said head, comprising an eccent-rically mounted disk and rotatable thereon, a ring surrounding said disk and adapted to engage with the findow' casing to which'the fixture is applied and to roll thereon when the fixture is moved in one direction with respect to the casing and means on said head against which said ring is adapted to be forced when the fixture is moved in the opposite'direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. ln a curtain fixture, a curtain stick, a head, a spring acting to force said head outwardly, and braking means on said head comprising an eccentrically mounted disk and rotatable thereon, a ring surrounding said disk and adaptedA to engage'with the window casing to -which the fixture is applied and to roll thereon when the fixture is moved in one direction with respect to the casing, and to be forced between the casing and a portion of the head when the fixture is moved in the opposite direct-ion, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. ln a curtain fixture, the combination with a curtain stick, of a head at one 'end thereof, braking means at one side of the longitudinal center of the head, antifriction means at the other side of said center, both of said means being adapted normally to contact with the window casing to which the fixture is applied and means for exerting a greater pressure on the side of the head provided with the braking means than on the other side thereof when the fixture is in its normal position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. 1n a curtain fixture, the combination with a curtain stick, of a head swingingly connected with said stick at one end thereof, braking means at one side of the longitudinal center of the head, antifriction means at the other side of said center both of said means being adapted normally to contact with the window casingl to which the fixture is applied, and means for exerting a greater pressure on the side of the head provided with the braking means than on the other side thereof when the fixture is in its normal position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. lfn a curtain fixture, the combination with a curtain stick, of a head at on-e end thereof, means for pivotally connecting said stick and said head, said means having an end surface extending in a direction forming an-acute angle with the axis of the stick. braking means at one side of the longitudinal center of the head, antifriction means at the other side of said center, both said braking means and said antifriction means being adapted normally to contact with the window casing to which the fixture is applied, and means for exerting a greater pressure on the side of the head provided with the braking means than on the other side thereof when the fixture is in its normal position, said last mentioned means comprising aA leaf spring secured to the head and tending, when the fixture is in its normal position, to contact with said end surface of said connecting means and to cause said head to asA sume a position substantially parallel with said surface, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9.111 a curtain fixture, the combination with a curtain stick, of a shank slidably mounted in said stick at one end thereof, a head pivotally mounted on said shank, said shank having an end surface extending in a direction forming an acute angle with the axis of the stick, braking means at one side of the longitudinal center of the head, antifriction means at the other side of said center, both said braking means and said anti-friction means being adapted normally to contact with the window casing to which the fixture is applied, and means for exerting a greater pressure on the side of the head provided with the braking means 'than on the other side thereof .when the fixture is in its normal position, said last mentioned means comprising a leaf spring secured to the head and tending, when the fixture is in its normal position, to contact with said end surface of said shank and to cause said head to assume a position substantially parallel with said surface, substantially as and for the purpose described.

10. In a curtain fixture, the combination with `a curtain stick of a shank slidably mounted in said stick at one end thereof, a spring within said stick adapted to force said shank outuf'ardly, a head pivotally mounted on said shank, said shank having an end surface extending in a direction forming an acute angle with the axis 'of the stick, braking means at one side of the longitudinal center ofthe head, antifriction means at the other side of said center, both said braking means and said antifriction means being adapted normally to contact with the window casing to which the fix ture is applied, and means for exerting a greater pressure on the side of the head provided with the braking means than on the other side thereof when the fixture is in its' normal posit-ion, said last mentioned means comprising a leaf spring secured to the head and tending, when the fixture is in its normal position, to contact .with said end surface of said shank and to cause said head to assume apposition substantially parallel with said surface, substantially as and for the purpose described.

ll. A curtain fixture comprising a cur tain stick, a head at each end thereof, springs of different strengths adapted to force said heads outwardly and stops adapted to engage with the stick to limit the outward movement of the heads, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

12. A curtain fixture comprising a curtain stick, a head at each end thereof, springs of differentstrengths adapted to force said heads outwardly and depressible stops adapted to engage with the stick to limit the outward movement of the heads, substantially as and for the purpose described.

13. A curtain fixture comprising a curtain stick, heads at the ends thereof, means for connecting the heads to the stick comprising shanks pivoted to the heads and slidably mounted in the stick, springs of different strengths acting upon said shanks to force said heads outwardly and stops pivoted to the shanks and adapted to engage with the stick to limit the outward movement ofthe heads, substantially as and for the purpose described.

let. A curtain fixture comprising a curtain stick, a head at each end thereof and lsprings of different intensities acting upon said heads, one of said springs acting to force one of said heads outwardly of the stick and the other of said springs acting to force the other of said heads outwardly of said stick, substantially as and for the purpose described.

15. A curtain fixture comprising a curtain stick, a head pivotally and slidably connected with said stick at each end thereof, and springs of different intensities acting upon said heads, one of said springs acting to force one of said heads outwardly of the stick and the other of said springs acting to force the other of said heads outwardly of said stick, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. A curtain fixture comprising a. curtain stick, a head at each end thereof, springs of diierent intensities acting upon said heads, one of said springs acting to force one of said heads outwardly of the stick and the other of said springs acting to force the other of said heads outwardly of the stick and stops for limiting the outward movement of said heads, substantially as and for the purpose described.

17. In a curtain fixture, a curtain stick having a slot therein, a shank within said stick and a stop pivoted to said shank and adapted to project through said slot, substantially as and for the purposes described.

18. In a curtain fixture, a curtain stick, a shank slidably mounted in said stick and a stop movably secured to one of the aforementioned parts and adapted to project into a recess in the other of said parts to prevent relative rotation of said parts and relative longitudinal movement thereof in one direction, substantially as and for the purpose described.

19. In a curtain iixture, a hollow stick having slots therein, a head slidably connected with said stick at one end thereof, pressure means acting to force said head outwardly, a depressible stop normally project-ing through one ofthe slots and a pinch handle projecting through another of said slots, substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. In a curtain ixture, a curtain stick having a recess and a slot therein, a head, a shank connecting said head and said st-ick, a pinch-handle screw threaded to said shank and projecting through said slot and a stop movably secured to said shank and Vadapted to project into said recess to prestick in the opposite direction to allow rotation of said shank and stick for causing an adjustment of the pinch handle, substantially as and for the purpose described.

21. In a curtain ixture, a. hollow stick having a slot, a spring-pressed rod within said stick, said rod having a recess, a stop located in said recess and adapted normally to extend through said slot and to be depressed within the hollow of said stick by contact with the end of said slot, substantially as and for the purpose described.

Q2. In a curtain fixture, the combination of a curtain stick, heads movably mounted at the ends thereof and adapted to contact with a window casing, a plurality of springs adapted to exert outward pressure on said heads and stops for limiting the outward movement of said heads, the parts being so constructed that, at predetermined points in the outward movement of the heads, the pressure exerted t-hereagainst is abruptly changed, substantially as and for the purpose described.

28. In a curtain fixture, the combination of a curtain stick, heads slidably and pivotally mounted at the ends thereof and adapted to contact with a window casing, a plurality of springs adapted to exert outward pressure on said heads and stops for limiting the outward ino-vement of said heads, whereby as the stick is tilted from its normal position, the pressure on the heads is gradually decreased because of the expansion of the springs and is abruptly decreased at predetermined points because of the action of the stops, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of January, 1911.

DOUGLAS E. BONNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

